Pennsylvania Elderly Driver Accident Lawyer
The number of older drivers on Pennsylvania roads is rising sharply—in 2023, the state had 2.3 million licensed drivers age 65 and older compared to 1.8 million just 10 years prior. However, older drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents, and age-related factors often contribute to car crashes.
Cordisco & Saile LLC has extensive experience representing clients in car accident cases involving elderly drivers. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in this type of crash, our elderly driver accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and seek fair compensation. People come first at our law firm—turn to our award-winning team of Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers and see the difference this makes first-hand.
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers . This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers . This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
- Last Modified:
- April 8, 2024
Elderly Driver Accident Attorneys With Experience You Can Count On
You’re dealing with enough after your accident—you don’t need to add the stress of handling a legal claim to your plate. Whether you are an elderly driver involved in a car accident or a collision caused by an older driver has injured you, the dedicated attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC can help.
We deeply understand the nuances involved in cases involving elderly drivers and how they can affect the outcome of a personal injury claim. When you turn to us, we’ll apply this knowledge in your favor to seek maximum compensation to cover the full extent of your damages.
Our team will handle every detail of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to deny or minimize claims, but our elderly driver accident lawyers will level the playing field by aggressively advocating for your rights. This approach can make all the difference in getting the compensation you need to rebuild your life post-accident.
We have practiced personal injury law in Pennsylvania and beyond for over 30 years. In that time, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for our injured clients, many of whom were in accidents involving elderly drivers. Highlights include a $2.47 million settlement for a Bristol man rear-ended by an armored car and an $865,000 settlement for a Bucks County driver and passenger struck by a minivan that failed to yield.
Case Spotlight: $1.37 Million for a Car Accident Victim
Car accidents often result in profound, life-altering consequences. That was the case for one of our clients who suffered traumatic disc injuries after a distracted driver rear-ended him in Bucks County. His life revolved around physical fitness before the accident, but his injuries prevented him from participating in his former leisure activities. He also could not perform his job and had to take on a less favorable role. In addition to mobility impairments, he suffered considerable pain that doctors expect to last for the rest of his life.
The insurance company initially offered $85,000 to our client. This offer recognized our client’s physical injuries but failed to reflect the crash’s drastic impact on his life. Our attorneys knew he deserved more. After rejecting the initial offer, we brought the case before an arbitrator, resulting in a $1,377,000 arbitration award.
We’re ready to fight for you. Take the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.
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Pennsylvania Law and Senior Drivers
Although there are no broad restrictions on senior drivers in Pennsylvania, the state does restrict “medically unsafe” drivers. If an elderly person has a medical condition that could affect their driving skills, their health care providers must notify the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Within 10 days of the diagnosis, the provider must submit a written report with the patient’s personal details. PennDOT may then request a medical evaluation and potentially suspend the driver’s license.
Pennsylvania also offers special programs to reduce the rate of elderly drivers causing accidents, such as the Mature Driver Improvement Course. This course educates older drivers about how aging affects their driving abilities. While drivers are not required to participate, the state encourages it by offering a five percent discount on car insurance to drivers 55 and older who complete the course. They must also take a refresher course every three years to maintain the discount.
These are just a few laws that may be relevant to your elderly driving accident case. Hiring a lawyer familiar with these laws is essential to maximizing your compensation.
“Before hiring anyone, a car accident victim or their family should be sure to ask potential attorneys about past case success and review their case history list. If they can’t provide substantial history of successful results they most likely don’t have the experience needed to offer proper representation. Unfortunately many attorneys will take any case that comes their way regardless of their professional background or history. It’s vital to choose an attorney that has extensive background specific to your case.” – John F Cordisco
How Aging Affects Accident Risk
In 2022, 20,622 motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania involved drivers aged 65 and older. Of course, not all of these crashes were age-related. The aging process affects everyone differently, and this statistic doesn’t reflect the number of accidents caused by elderly drivers. However, many older individuals experience changes affecting their driving ability, and age-related factors often contribute to accidents.
As we age, vision becomes less acute, reflexes slow down, and cognitive function may decline. When severe enough, these changes may increase an elderly driver’s risk of causing an accident and make it harder for them to avoid accidents resulting from other dangerous road conditions.
Certain chronic health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, are also more common among older drivers, which could result in acute health events while driving. Our senior driving self-assessment can help you determine if it’s time to consider alternative transportation options for yourself or a loved one.
Elderly drivers also face a higher risk of severe injury and death in car accidents. As people age, their bodies become more fragile and prone to injury. Older bodies also have to work harder to recover from injuries, which may result in longer recovery times and poorer prognoses. This means the same conditions that would leave a typical 30-year-old with a few bruises could result in broken bones and permanent mobility impairments for a 70-year-old.
Despite these risks, injured elderly drivers may have more trouble receiving fair compensation from insurers. If they have a preexisting condition common among older people, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, insurers may try to argue that the condition caused their injuries rather than the accident. A skilled Pennsylvania car accident lawyer for elderly drivers can help combat this.
Contact Cordisco & Saile if You've Been Injured in an Accident Involving a Senior Driver
You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s errors, even if age is a factor. If you or a loved one suffered harm in a car accident with an elderly driver in Pennsylvania, Cordisco & Saile LLC is ready to fight for you.
Call 215-642-2335 or contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our nationally recognized team of attorneys will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the first steps toward the compensation you deserve.
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